Car forces another to stop; passenger emerges shooting

Published: Sunday, June 16, 2013 at 4:43 p.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, June 16, 2013 at 4:43 p.m.

BRADENTON - Police are investigating a shooting Sunday morning in which an assailant opened fire on a driver in his car.

At least two men forced Leonard Burrows Jr., 49, of Bradenton, to stop on 43rd Street West before firing at him. Burrows was not injured, but two bullets were lodged in his vehicle's hood and passenger side headlight.

Burrows was driving south on 43rd Street West around 6:40 a.m. when he noticed a white car behind him, according to a Manatee Sheriff's Office report.

It appeared that two men were in the white, four-door vehicle. The car passed Burrows' car, and the two vehicles continued to travel south.

Without warning, the white car slowed to a stop in the middle of the road near the 5100 block of 43rd Street West, forcing Burrows to do the same.

A man emerged from the rear-passenger side of the white car wielding a silver, semi-automatic handgun, the report said.

Without a word, he opened fire on Burrows' car.

Two bullets struck Burrows' car before he was able to put it in reverse and speed away.

Police found one shell casing at the scene.

The shooter and the driver of the white car have not been identified.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to call the Manatee County Sheriff's Office at (941) 747-3011.

Reader comments posted to this article may be published in our print edition. All rights reserved. This copyrighted material may not be re-published without permission. Links are encouraged.